Multi-variable yield monitor and methods for the same

ABSTRACT

A dynamic yield monitor system includes a plurality of instruments to measure harvested crop characteristics while a crop is in-flow within a harvester elevator. The system includes a volume instrument that measures a harvested crop volume from the in-flow harvested crop within the harvester elevator, and a weight instrument that measures a harvested crop weight from the in-flow harvested crop within the harvester elevator. Optionally, the system includes other instruments including a moisture and temperature instrument. A receiver and processing node communicates with the instrument. The receiver and processing determines variable harvested crop test weight based on at least the measured harvested crop volume and measured harvested crop weight of the in-flow crop. The receiver and processing node further determines a variable yield of the harvested crop based on the measured harvested crop volume, the measured harvested crop weight, and the variable harvested crop test weight.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT DOCUMENTS

This patent application is related to US patent application entitled“REMOTE MOISTURE SENSOR AND METHODS FOR THE SAME”; filed on an even dateherewith, and incorporated herein by reference.

This patent application is also related to US patent applicationentitled “IN-FLOW WEIGHT SENSOR AND METHODS FOR THE SAME”; filed on aneven date herewith, and incorporated herein by reference.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and dataas described below and in the drawings that form a part of thisdocument: Copyright Raven Industries, Inc.; Sioux Falls, S. Dak. AllRights Reserved.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document pertains generally, but not by way of limitation, tosystems and methods of determining crop yields.

BACKGROUND

Yield monitor systems are used to measure crop yields during harvesting.Yield characteristics, such as weight or volume, are used to assess thequality and quantity of a crop and accordingly determine its purchaseprice. In one example a yield equation that assesses the quality andquantity of a crop is based on four distinct variables and a fifthrelated variable. In one example, the four variables include volume,temperature, moisture and test weight (density) of the harvested crop.The fifth related variable is the weight of the harvested crop, and withat least some yield monitors the weight is determined according to thevolume and test weight.

One example of a type of yield monitor is a volume based yield monitor.With volume based yield monitors a volume sensor is provided in aharvester elevator that measures the volume of a harvested crop withinthe elevator. The operator of the harvester inputs a test weight(density) assumption for the harvested crop in a field based on theobserved field conditions, the crop being harvested, as well as theexperience of the operator. The weight is derived from the volumemeasured and the assumed test weight.

Another example of a type of yield monitor is a weight based yieldmonitor that uses a weight sensor to measure the weight of a harvestedcrop. With weight based yield monitors the four variables includeweight, temperature, moisture and the test weight of the harvested crop.In contrast to the volume based yield monitor, the weight based yieldmonitor determines the volume of the harvested crop according to thetest weight and the weight. Similar to the volume based yield monitor,an operator of the weight based yield monitor assumes a test weight fora field and inputs the assumed test weight. As discussed above, theassumed test weight and the measured weight are used to determine thevolume of the harvested crop.

Overview

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that aproblem to be solved can include the minimizing of error introduced byassumptions into yield values. In an example, the present subject mattercan provide a solution to this problem, such as by a system or methodthat determines yield values based on measured harvested cropcharacteristics. Stated another way, operator assumptions ofcharacteristics, such as a test weight value are entirely avoided.

In one example, the systems or methods described herein measure bothvolume and weight and the test weight for a harvested crop is determinedbased on these measured characteristics. Accordingly, the generation ofone or more harvested crop yield values is based on measured (as opposedto one or more assumed) characteristic values including the test weight(determined by the measured characteristic values). Further still, eachof the measured characteristics and the corresponding yield values varydynamically according to the measurements of the instruments associatedwith a harvester elevator.

The present inventors have further recognized, that a problem to besolved can include increasing the resolution of harvested crop yieldvalues within a field. As discussed above, in at least some yieldmonitors a test weight value is assumed for a particular field and inputto the yield monitor for use in yield calculations. The correspondingyield calculations are thereby accordingly consistently based on thesame assumed test weight value within the field even though in practicethe test weight will vary within the field, sometimes widely.

In another example, the systems or methods described herein address thisproblem by dynamically measuring each of the one or more harvested cropcharacteristics including, but not limited to, harvested crop volume andweight. As discussed above, the test weight is determined from thesemeasurements. Accordingly, the test weight dynamically varies accordingto actual measured characteristics for a harvested crop as it isharvested from various locations of the field. Because the test weightdynamically changes along with the measured harvested cropcharacteristics, the corresponding harvested crop yield valuesdynamically change according to the location of the harvester within thefield. Yield maps generated with these dynamically changing values(measured characteristics and determined test weight) accordinglyprovide enhanced resolution relative to previous yield maps that use aconsistent assumed test weight for the field. High resolution yield mapsbased on dynamic changes as opposed to consistent static assumptionsdecrease error in yield calculations, for instance to one percent orless. Further, high resolution yield maps are valuable to an operator asaccurate yield values are indexed to specific locations in the field,thereby facilitating improved husbandry and planting in future seasons(e.g., varied hybrid planting within portions of the field, variedagricultural product application, watering and the like).

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter ofthe present patent application. It is not intended to provide anexclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detaileddescription is included to provide further information about the presentpatent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsmay describe similar components in different views. Like numerals havingdifferent letter suffixes may represent different instances of similarcomponents. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, butnot by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the presentdocument.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one example of a harvester.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of one example of a harvester elevatorincluding a dynamic yield monitor system.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a harvester elevator including anotherexample of a dynamic yield monitor system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram one example of a volume instrument.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of one example of a paddle mounted weightinstrument.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing one example of a yield monitorreceiving and processing node.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing one example of a method for measuringone or more dynamic yield values for a harvested crop.

FIG. 7 is a top view of one example of an agricultural field duringharvesting of a crop by a harvester including the dynamic yield monitorsystem of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an array of harvested crop characteristic measurements andyield values associated with corresponding locations of the field ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing one example of a method for generatinga location based yield map.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows one example of a harvester, such as a harvester combine100. As shown the harvester 100 includes a body 102 and a header 104movably coupled with the body 102. In one example, the header 104 isused to cut and divide grain such as crops and deliver the grain intothe body 102 for further processing. Referring again to FIG. 1, in oneexample the harvester 100 includes a harvester elevator 106 configuredto remove processed grain for instance from the internal mechanisms ofthe harvester 100 and deposit the grain within a grain tank 108. Asfurther shown in FIG. 1 an antenna, such as a GPS antenna 110, isfurther provided on the body 102 to provide accurate position data ofthe harvester 100 for instance while harvesting within a field.

As previously described, the harvester 100 includes a harvester elevator106 configured to deliver grain from processing into a grain tank 108.As will be described herein, the harvester elevator 106 includes one ormore instruments (e.g., a suite of instruments) as well as a receiverand processing node configured to measure one or more characteristics,such as harvested crop characteristics of a crop delivered through theharvest elevator 106 to the grain tank 108. As will be further describedherein, the dynamic yield monitor system provided herein is configuredto use each of four representative harvested crop characteristics usedin standard yield equations to determine one or more variable yieldvalues of the crop at it is harvested from a field. The dynamic yieldmonitor system is configured to determine each of these cropcharacteristics in a dynamic fashion, for instance as the harvester 100is harvesting the crop within a field. Accordingly, assumptions ofparticular crop characteristics, such as test weight (density) and oneor more related characteristics, such as weight or volume are avoided.Stated another way, the dynamic yield monitor system described herein isable to dynamically determine each of the harvested crop characteristicsand accurately determine one or more variable yield values without userinputted assumptions, for instance regarding test weight or the like.

Although the systems and methods described herein are shown in thecontext of an exemplary harvester 100, the disclosure is not limited toharvesters 100. Instead, the systems and methods are applicable to anysystem (whether static or moving) that would benefit from accurate cropcharacteristic measurements of an in-flow crop. For instance, thesystems and methods described herein are used with, but not limited to,stationary harvesters, elevators, crop picking systems (e.g., fruit andapple picking systems) and the like.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, one example of the harvester elevator 106previously shown in FIG. 1 is provided. In the schematic view providedin FIG. 2A an elevator loop 200 is shown extending through the harvesterelevator 106. The elevator loop 200 includes a plurality of paddles 202arranged in a linear configuration that cyclically move withindescending and ascending segments 206, 204. During the descendingsegment 206 the paddles 202 move without a harvested crop and engagewith a harvested crop for instance at a trough segment 208. Theharvested crop is in one example supplied through a supply auger 201 andis immediately engaged by one or more of the paddles 202 as the paddlesmove through the trough segment 208. The harvested crop (e.g., aquantity of harvested crop 216) as shown in FIG. 2A is elevated along anascending segment 204 of the harvester elevator 106. In one example, thequantity of harvested crop 216 on each of the paddles 202 issubstantially static relative to the paddles 202 as it ascends. That isto say the paddle 202 and the quantity of harvested crop 216 on therespective paddle are substantially static relative to one another whilethe composite of the quantity of the harvested crop 216 and the paddle202 are otherwise moving within the ascending segment 204 toward an apexsegment 210. The quantity of harvested crop 216 is elevated to the apexsegment 210 as previously described and delivered through a crop chute211 for instance to the grain tank 108.

As further shown in FIG. 2A, one example of a dynamic yield monitorsystem 203 is provided. In the example shown, the dynamic yield monitorsystem 203 includes one or more instruments or a plurality ofinstruments (e.g., a suite of instruments) configured to determine oneor more harvested crop characteristics dynamically, for instance as theharvester 100 is harvesting the crop within a field and the harvestedcrop flows through the harvester elevator 106. In the example shown thedynamic yield monitor system 203 includes a volume instrument 212 and aseparate weight instrument 214. In the example shown in FIG. 2A theweight instrument 214 is associated with one or more of the paddles 202.Stated another way, the weight instrument 214 is installed on one of thepaddles 202 (and alternatively a plurality of paddles of the totalnumber of paddles of the elevator loop 200).

As further shown in the dynamic yield monitor system 203 example, thesystem further includes a moisture and temperature instrument 219positioned for instance within a portion of the trough segment 208. Themoisture and temperature instrument 219 is configured to measure themoisture content as well as the temperature of the harvested grain as itenters the harvester elevator 106 for instance immediately before andduring engagement and lifting by one or more of the paddles 202. Instill another example, the dynamic yield monitor system 203 includes aheader orientation instrument 220. The header orientation instrument 220is coupled with the header, such as the header 104 shown in FIG. 1. Theheader orientation instrument 220 is sized and shaped to determine theorientation of the header 104, for instance while the header 104 is in adown position and accordingly harvesting the crop in the field and whilethe header is in an up position where the header 104 is disengaged andaccordingly no longer harvesting the crop. As will be described herein,in one example the header orientation instrument 220 is associated withthe antenna 110 to accordingly index the location of the harvester 100and the corresponding orientation of the header 104 (whether up or down)with that corresponding position.

As further shown in FIG. 2A, in another example the dynamic yieldmonitor system 203 includes a receiver and processing node 218. Thereceiver and processing node 218 in one example serves as the nexus orcommunal node for each of the instruments of the suite of instrumentsincluding for instance the volume instrument 212, the weight instrument214, the moisture and temperature instrument 219 and the headerorientation instrument 220. In another example, the receiver andprocessing node 218 and the corresponding dynamic yield monitor system203 include one or more of the instruments provided herein for theinstrument suite. For instance, the dynamic yield monitor system 203includes a volume instrument 212 in combination with the moisture andtemperature instrument 219 and the header orientation instrument 220 orthe weight instrument 214 in combination with the moisture andtemperature instrument 219 and the header orientation instrument 220.

As further shown in FIG. 2A, in one example the receiver and processingnode 218 is in communication with the antenna, such as the antenna 110previously shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, any of the crop characteristicsmeasured with one or more of the volume instrument 212, the weightinstrument 214 and the moisture and temperature instrument 219 areassociated with the position of the harvester 100 as will be furtherdescribed herein. Additionally, the cooperation between the antenna 110,the receiver and processing node 218 and one or more of the instrumentsdescribed herein are used to accordingly determine one or more harvestedcrop characteristics and associate those crop characteristics with aparticular position within a field. Stated another way, the dynamicyield monitor system 203 dynamically measures the variable cropcharacteristics, for instance with any of the instruments previouslydescribed herein, and associates the according crop characteristics aswell as yield values determined with those crop characteristics with thecorresponding location on a map, for instance a yield map. By blendingthis information for instance with the receiver and processing node 218a dynamic map of one or more harvested crop characteristics as well asyield values corresponding to one or more field locations (and varyingat those locations according to the measured characteristics) isaccordingly produced.

In another example the dynamic yield monitor system 203 includes agraphical user interface (GUI) 222 configured to allow user input froman operator.

For instance the operator is able to initiate one or more ofcalibration, diagnostics and review the instrument measurements andvariable yield values communicated to and delivered from the receiverand processing node 218, for instance while the harvester 100 is in aharvesting operation within a field.

Referring again to FIG. 2A as previously described herein, the dynamicyield monitor system 203 includes a suite of instruments configured todetermine each of four variables used in yield calculations. The suiteof instruments, for instance the volume instrument 212, the weightinstrument 214 and the moisture and temperature instrument 219, areprovided within the harvester elevator 106 and are accordingly operableto measure the harvested crop in-flow. That is to say, the plurality ofinstruments are configured to dynamically measure characteristics of aquantity of harvested crop delivered through the harvester elevator 106at a particular time (e.g., continuously measure the characteristics ofthe in-flow crop). Accordingly, the instruments 212, 214, 219dynamically measure the various harvested crop characteristics as thosecharacteristics change, for instance as the harvester 100 moves throughdifferent areas of the field having varying production (e.g., yield) ofa particular harvested crop. That is to say, the suite of instrumentsincluding the volume instrument 212, the weight instrument 214 and themoisture and temperature instrument 219 are able to dynamically measurecrop characteristics of an in-flow crop moving through the harvesterelevator 106. Accordingly, as crop characteristics change throughout thefield the instruments 212, 214, 219 in cooperation with the receiver andprocessing node 218 are able to measure and log the corresponding cropcharacteristics. Additionally, the dynamic yield monitor system 203(e.g., through the receiver and processing node 218) is accordingly ableto generate one or more dynamic variable yield values of the harvestedcrop according to these dynamically determined crop characteristics.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, another example of a dynamic yield monitorsystem 205 is provided. As shown, the dynamic yield monitor system 205includes a plurality of instruments for instance a volume instrument 212and a moisture and temperature instrument 219. Further, the dynamicyield monitor system 205 includes another example of a weightinstrument, the weight instrument 224. In the example shown, the weightinstrument 224 is installed for instance within an impact plate in thecrop chute 211. In a similar manner to the weight instrument 214, themeasured weight determined by the weight instrument 224 is communicatedwith the receiver and processing node 218 in combination with theinstrument inputs from the volume instrument 212 and the moisture andtemperature instrument 219 to accordingly measure and log a plurality ofharvested crop characteristics and generate variable yield values basedon those measured crop characteristics. In other regards, the dynamicyield monitor system 205 operates similarly to the dynamic yield monitorsystem 203 shown in FIG. 2A. Stated another way, the dynamic yieldmonitor system 205 is able to receive instrument input from eachinstrument within the suite of instruments and accordingly generatedynamically varying yield values according to the crop characteristicsmeasured in-flow within the harvester elevator 106.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, at least some of the instruments of thedynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205 are positioned within anascending segment 204 of the harvester elevator 106. The ascendingsegment 204 of the harvester elevator 106 is a portion of the harvesterelevator 106 consistently filled with the quantity of harvested crop216, for instance as it travels from the trough segment 208 to the apexsegment 210 where it is delivered through the crop chute 211 to thegrain tank 108. Accordingly, within the ascending segment 204 the volumeinstrument 212 is in one example housed within the harvester elevatorwall. In the example shown for instance in FIG. 2A the weight instrument214 is installed on one or more of the paddles 202. Accordingly, and asfurther described herein, the weight instrument 214 is substantiallystatic relative to the quantity of harvested crop 216 provided on therespective paddle 202.

Referring now to FIG. 3, one example of the volume instrument 212 isprovided. As shown in FIG. 3, the volume instrument 212 in one exampleincludes an optical sensor (e.g., a photo eye, infrared sensor or thelike) positioned within a wall of the harvester elevator 106 anddirected into the ascending segment 204. As shown immediately below, apaddle 202 including a quantity of harvested crop 216 thereon iselevated toward the volume instrument 212. As further shown with thedashed lines in FIG. 3 a measurement initiating locus 300 and ameasurement terminating locus 302 are noted.

As the quantity of harvested crop 216 is elevated through the ascendingsegment 204 the paddle 202 and the crop thereon will accordingly travelby the volume instrument 212. As the upper end of the quantity ofharvested crop 216 passes by the volume instrument 212 (corresponding tothe measurement initiating locus 300) the volume instrument 212 beginsits measurement, is accordingly able to “see” the quantity of harvestedcrop 216 (e.g., notes darkening within the ascending segment 204) andcommunicates with the receiver and processing node 218 or an integratedmicrocontroller to begin measuring a time period corresponding to thepassage of the quantity of the harvested crop 216 and the paddle 202past the volume instrument 212. As the measurement terminating locus 302passes by the volume instrument 212 the instrument correspondingly notesthe termination of the measurement (e.g., notes lightening within theascending segment). Based on the measured period of time between theinitiating locus 300 and the terminating locus 302 the receiver andprocessing node 218 is able, through statistical analysis correspondingto empirically determined characteristics of the harvester elevator 106and the crop, the volume of the quantity of harvested crop 216.

Measurements are delivered from the volume instrument 212 to thereceiver and processing node 218, for instance by one or more of a wiredconnection, wireless connection or the like. In one example the receiverand processing node 218 takes the input volume information (e.g., darkand light detection) and accordingly determines a volume cropcharacteristic for instance by way of a statistical model based on, aspreviously described, the characteristics of the crop being harvested aswell as the empirically determined characteristics of the harvesterelevator 106 (e.g., the area of the paddle 202, the dimensions of theelevator passage, the speed of the elevator paddle 202 and the like).

Referring now to FIG. 4, one example of the weight instrument 214 isprovided. As previously shown in FIG. 2A, the weight instrument 214 isin one example installed with one or more of the paddles 202. Oneexample of such a paddle 202 is provided in FIG. 4. As shown the weightinstrument 214 includes a weight sensor 400 positioned within oradjacent to the paddle 202. The weight sensor 400 includes, but is notlimited to, one or more types of weight sensors such as load cells,strain gauges, piezo elements or the like positioned below a movableplate or incorporated into the surface of the paddle 202. As furthershown in FIG. 4, the weight instrument 214 in another example includes amicrocontroller 402 in communication with the weight sensor 400. Themicrocontroller 402 is powered in one example by a power source 404(e.g., a battery, capacitor charged by the movement of the paddle 202within the harvester elevator 106, or the like). As further shown inFIG. 4, the microcontroller 402 is in one example coupled with atransmitter 406 such as a radio or wireless transmitter. The transmitter406 facilitates communication between the weight instrument 214 and thereceiver and processing node 218. Accordingly, the moving weightinstrument 400 is able to deliver the measured weight of a quantity ofthe harvested crop 216 to the receiver and processing node 218 evenwhile ascending through the ascending segment 204.

The weight instrument 214 shown in FIG. 4 determines a static weight ofthe quantity of harvested crop 216 (in contrast to a dynamic weightwhere the crop moves relative to the sensor). For instance, as thepaddle 202 is ascending through the ascending segment 204 the quantityof harvested crop 216 is static relative to the paddle 202. Accordingly,any weight determinations made with the weight instrument 214 are notsubject to dynamic loading of the instrument by the quantity ofharvested crop 216 (for instance as is the case with a harvested cropimpacting an impact plate). Instead, the quantity of the harvested crop216 is statically positioned on the paddle 202 and accordingly theweight sensor 400, within the ascending segment, conducts one or moreweight measurements and thereby accurately measures the weight of thequantity of harvested crop 216 and delivers the measurement to thereceiver and processing node 218.

FIG. 5 shows one example of the receiver and processing node 218previously shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. As shown, a plurality of inputs areprovided to the receiver and processing node 218 including one or moreinputs from the suite of sensors previously described herein. In FIG. 5,the instruments such as the volume instrument 212, the weight instrument214, the moisture and temperature instrument 219 and the head positioninstrument 220 are shown in communication with the receiver andprocessing node 218. As will be described in detail herein, theplurality of inputs (measurements) from the instruments are used by thereceiver and processing node 218 to accordingly determine one or morecorresponding crop characteristics 500 and variable yield values basedon the measured characteristics.

As further shown in FIG. 5 the crop characteristics 500 are input to afilter, such as a blending filter 502 that provides one or morenumerical calculations, models and the like configured to use the inputharvested crop characteristics 500 to accordingly determine a pluralityof variable yield values 504. In another example, the receiver andprocessing node 218 further includes an indexing module 506 and a yieldmap module 508. As will be described herein, the indexing module 506 isin communication with a position location system for the harvester 100,such as the antenna 110 previously described herein. Accordingly, one ormore of the crop characteristics 500 and the variable yield values 504are associated with the location of the harvester 100 to accordinglyprovide indexed locations for each of the determined cropcharacteristics 500 and variable yield values 504 as they aredynamically determined in-flow crop. In another example the yield mapmodule 508 includes these indexed crop characteristics and variableyield values 500, 504 and plots these characteristics on a yield map toaccordingly generate a yield map including the crop characteristics 500and the variable yield values 504 plotted thereon.

As previously described, the receiver and processing node 218 is incommunication with the suite of instruments previously described andshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. For instance the measurements of the weightinstrument 214 are input to the receiver and processing node 218, forinstance into a weight flow module 510. The weight flow module 510includes a statistical model generated according to empirical analysisof for instance the harvester elevator 106, the paddles 202 and othercharacteristics, such as characteristics of the harvested crop toaccordingly use the signal provided by the weight instrument 214 togenerate a harvested crop characteristic corresponding to a weightcharacteristic (e.g., weight per second) that is then input to theblending filter 502.

In a similar manner, the volume instrument 212 is in communication witha volume flow module 512 of the receiver and processing node 218. Thevolume flow module 512 includes a statistical model configured tointerpret the signal provided by the volume instrument 212 andaccordingly determine a volume crop characteristic (e.g., cubic inchesper second) corresponding to the variable volume of the harvested cropmeasured as it flows through the harvester elevator 106.

In another example, the receiver and processing node 218 is incommunication with other instruments of the dynamic yield monitorsystems 203, 205 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. For instance the node 218 isin communication with the moisture and temperature instrument 219 andoptionally the head orientation instrument 220. In the example of themoisture and temperature instrument 219, the instrument is incommunication with a moisture content module 514. The moisture contentmodule 514 is configured to interpret data provided by the moisture andtemperature instrument 219 and accordingly determine a harvested cropmoisture (e.g., percent moisture content) as one of the harvested cropcharacteristics 500. In another example, the header orientationinstrument 220 is in communication with a header module 516 of thereceiver and processing node 218. The header module 516 interprets thesignal from the header orientation instrument 220 and accordinglyprovides an input to the blending filter 502 corresponding to upposition or down position of the header 104.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5 each of the instruments of the suite ofinstruments 212, 214, 219, 220 generates one or more correspondingharvested crop characteristics 500 that are input to the blending filter502. The input harvested crop characteristics 500 are used to generateone or more variable yield values 504. Optionally, each of the harvestedcrop characteristics 500 as they are determined (e.g., as the harvester100 moves through a field and accordingly generates a plurality of eachof the crop characteristics) is indexed with the indexing module 506 tothe zone corresponding to the particular crop characteristic at aparticular time. Accordingly, the dynamic yield monitor system 203 (or205) is able on an ongoing basis to associate the varying harvested cropcharacteristics 500 as they change within the field with thecorresponding location (e.g., a zone) within the field from which thein-flow and measured harvested crop was harvested.

Referring again to FIG. 5, as the harvested crop characteristics 500 aregenerated on an ongoing basis, for instance as the harvester 100 movesthrough a field, the blending filter 502 receives the harvested cropcharacteristics 500 as inputs. The blending filter 502 thereafter blendsthe harvested crop characteristics 500 by way of one or more yieldequations, models and the like to generate corresponding variable yieldvalues 504 that vary according to changes in the harvested cropcharacteristics 500. One example of standard yield equation (providedbelow) uses each measured characteristic (e.g., weight, volume, moistureand temperature) and test weight determined based on thesecharacteristics to generate a yield value.

${{Standard}\mspace{14mu}{Bushels}} = {{Measured}\mspace{14mu}{Bushels} \times \frac{100 - {{Measured}\mspace{14mu}\%\mspace{14mu}{Moisture}}}{100 - {{Standard}\mspace{14mu}\%\mspace{14mu}{Moisture}}} \times \frac{{Test}\mspace{14mu}{Weight}}{{Standard}\mspace{14mu}{Test}\mspace{14mu}{Weight}}}$

Measured bushels and test weight are determined according to themeasured characteristics (e.g., volume, weight, moisture content andtemperature). As described herein, each of these characteristics aredynamically measured on an on-going continuous based, and are not basedon assumptions (e.g., assumptions of test weight). By measuring anddetermining each of the relevant inputs for yield equations (e.g.,volume, weight and optionally moisture content and temperature) accurateand varying yield values 504 are also correspondingly determined on anon-going dynamic basis.

The blending filter 502 is in one example configured to generate one ormore variable yield values 504 including but not limited to weight persecond, volume per second, density per second (e.g., test weight) andbushels per second of the harvested crop. In a similar manner to theharvested crop characteristics 500 each of the variable yield values 504as they are generated are optionally indexed for instance by way of theindexing module 506 with a corresponding location of the harvester 100within the field. Accordingly, the variable yield values 504, like theharvested crop characteristics 500, are readily associated with theparticular area or zone of the field that provided the harvested croprelated to the harvested crop characteristics 500 and the relatedvariable yield values 504.

The variable yield values 504 (in the same manner as the harvested cropcharacteristics 500) are accordingly dynamically determined on anon-going basis as the harvester 100 moves through a field. Each of theharvested crop characteristics 500 in one example are fed through theblending filter 502 to accordingly determine the variable yield values504. As the harvested crop characteristics 500 change (e.g., as theharvested crop from varying zones of the field) the correspondingvariable yield values 504 also change. The dynamic yield monitor system203 (or 205) as shown in FIG. 2A (or 2B) is accordingly able todetermine the harvested crop characteristics 500 and the variable yieldvalues 504 on an instantaneous and on-going basis and thereby accuratelynote variation in each of the harvested crop characteristics 500 and therelated variable yield values 504 dependent upon the location of theharvester 100 within the field.

As previously described and further shown in FIG. 5, the yield mapmodule 508 is further in communication with the blending filter 502. Ina similar manner to the association of the harvested cropcharacteristics 500 with the particular locations with the indexingmodule 506, the yield map module 508 communicates with the indexingmodule 106 for instance by way of the blending filter 502 to associateand generate a yield map including for instance a plurality of zones andthe corresponding harvested crop characteristics 500 and variable yieldvalues 504 measured and determined for the particular zones.Accordingly, the yield map module 508 generates a yield map for aparticular field including a plurality of zones therein with one or moreof the associated harvested crop characteristics 500 and the variableyield values 504 for each of the zones mapped to the various zones onthe generated yield map.

Referring again to FIG. 5, as shown the plurality of instruments such asthe volume instrument 212 and the weight instrument 214 as well as themoisture and temperature instrument 219 provide inputs to the receiverand processing node 218. Accordingly, the blending filter 502 with thecorresponding harvested crop characteristics 500 is able to determine atest weight on an ongoing basis without any assumptions being maderegarding the test weight of a crop for a field. Accordingly, thedynamic yield monitor system 203 (or 205) is not constrained by assumedvalues for one of the variables of a yield equation. An operator is notrequired to enter an assumed test weight when preparing to harvestwithin a particular field. Instead, with the ongoing measurements ofboth weight and volume, for instance with the weight instrument 214 andthe volume instrument 212, a corresponding test weight (one of thevariable yield values 504 shown in FIG. 5) is accordingly determinedaccurately and instantaneously according to the correspondingdynamically determined harvested crop characteristics 500 (e.g., theharvested crop weight and the harvested crop volume.

In another example, the addition of the moisture and temperatureinstrument 219 provides further information to more accurately determinethe test weight variable yield value 504 for use in the determination ofother variable yield values (e.g., bushels, weight and volume basedyield values and the like). For instance, the harvested cropcharacteristics 500 including the harvested crop weight, harvested cropvolume and the harvested crop moisture content and temperature are fedon an on-going basis to the blending filter 502 and accordingly generatecorresponding test weight values that accurately represent the testweight of the harvested crop, for instance the inflow harvested crop asit moves through the harvester elevator 106, without requiring anystatic assumption of a test weight made for instance prior to harvestingof the harvester 100 within a field. Stated another way, the test weightyield value (one of the variable yield values 504 shown in FIG. 5) isgenerated in an accurate and ongoing dynamic fashion that facilitatesmore accurate yield values (e.g., bushels per second) when input into ayield equation.

Accordingly, the previous need to assume a test weight is removed and amore accurate determination of yield values provided according to themeasurements of harvested crop characteristics of an in-flow crop withinthe harvester elevator 106.

FIG. 6 shows one example of a method 600 for dynamically measuringyield, for instance with the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205previously described herein. In describing the method 600, reference ismade to one or more components, features, functions and steps describedherein. Where convenient, reference is made to the components, features,steps and the like with reference numerals. Reference numerals providedare exemplary and are not exclusive. For instance features, components,functions, steps and the like described in the method 600 include, butare not limited to, the corresponding numbered elements provided herein.Other corresponding features described herein (both numbered andunnumbered) as well as their equivalents are also considered.

At 602, the method 600 includes measuring a plurality of harvested cropcharacteristics 500 with a suite of yield instruments within a harvesterelevator 106. In one example, the suite of instruments (e.g., one ormore instruments) includes a volume instrument 212 and a weightinstrument 214. Optionally, a moisture and temperature instrument 219and a header orientation instrument 220 are also provided. At 604,measuring the plurality of harvested crop characteristics includesmeasuring a harvested crop volume with the volume instrument 212 of amoving flow of the harvested crop (e.g., a quantity of the harvestedcrop 216) within the harvester elevator 106. At 606, measuring of theharvested crop characteristics further includes measuring a harvestedcrop weight of the moving flow of the harvested crop within theharvester elevator 106.

At 608, the measured plurality of harvested crop characteristics 500 arecommunicated (e.g., wirelessly) to a receiver and processing node 218.At 610, the receiver and processing node 218 determines a variableharvested crop test weight of the moving flow of the harvested cropbased on at least the measured harvested crop volume and weight. That isto say, with the harvested crop characteristics 500, for instance thedynamically changing harvested crop volume and weight (variable as theharvester 100 continues to harvest within a field), the receiver andprocessing node 218 is configured to use each of these harvested cropcharacteristics to accurately and dynamically determine a variable yieldvalue 504, such as the harvested crop test weight. As described herein,the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205 are accordingly configured todetermine one or more variables (e.g., the harvested cropcharacteristics) of yield equations. Optionally, the dynamic yieldmonitor systems 203, 205 are configured to determine all of thevariables of yield equations (e.g., weight, volume, moisture content andtemperature, the test weight related to these variables). Stated anotherway, the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205 are configured toaccurately monitor each of the harvested crop characteristics withoutreliance on assumed values for one or more of the variables. Further,the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205 are configured to measureeach of the harvested crop characteristics dynamically (e.g, as theyvary during harvesting) to accordingly accurately represent thecharacteristic measurements throughout a harvesting operation.

At 612 the method 600 further includes generating one or more variableyield values, such as the variable yield values 504 shown in FIG. 5. Thevariable yield values 504 are based on the measurements of the harvestedcrop characteristics including at least the measured harvested cropvolume and weight and the determined variable harvested crop testweight. That is to say, with the variable test weight previouslydetermined at 610 the receiver and processing node 218 is able togenerate accurately and on an ongoing basis one or more variable yieldvalues including, but not limited to, the harvested crop weight per unittime, volume per unit time and bushels per unit time determinedaccording to one or more accepted yield equations. Stated another way,with the method 600 each of the plurality of harvested cropcharacteristics 500 and the corresponding yield values 504 aredetermined in an ongoing dynamic basis according to measurements of atleast the harvested crop volume and harvested crop weight of the in-flowharvested crop as previously described herein. Further, the harvestedcrop test weight is determined based on both of the harvested cropvolume and the harvested crop weight without requiring assumption of atest weight. Accordingly, the variable yield values 504 based, at leastin part, on the variable test weight are more accurately determined asthe test weight itself is based upon actual measured data correspondingto the harvested crop characteristics of volume and weight determined inan ongoing basis as the harvester 100 operates within a field.

Several options for the method follow. In one example measuring theplurality of harvested crop characteristics 500 includes measuring aharvested crop moisture content and temperature of the moving flow ofthe harvested crop (e.g., in-flow) within the harvester elevator 106,for instance with a moisture and temperature instrument 219 as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B. In another example, measuring the harvested crop weightincludes measuring the weight of a quantity of the harvested crop 216while moving the quantity along an ascending segment 204 of theharvester elevator 106. The quantity of the harvested crop 216 iscarried by one or more paddles 202 and the quantity of the harvestedcrop 216 is static relative to the weight instrument 214 as the weightinstrument 214 and the quantity of harvested crop 216 carried thereonascend together within the ascending segment 204.

In another example, determining the variable harvested crop test weightincludes determining the variable harvested crop test weight based onthe measured harvested crop volume, weight, the harvested croptemperature and harvested crop moisture content as each of the pluralityof harvested crop characteristics change within a field. As previouslystated, as the harvester 100 moves through a field the dynamic yieldmonitor systems 203, 205 (FIGS. 2A and 2B) are configured to determineeach of the harvested crop characteristics 500 in an ongoing and dynamicmanner to accordingly determine variable values for each. The yieldvalues, for instance including the determined test weight, arecorrespondingly determined in an ongoing and dynamic fashion forinstance without assumptions regarding the test weight. Instead, thetest weight is determined based on the measured harvested crop weightand harvested crop volume (as well as the optional measured moisture andtemperature). For instance in one example measuring the harvested cropvolume includes measuring a first harvested crop volume corresponding toa first field location (such as a first zone) and measuring a secondharvested crop volume corresponding to a second field location(corresponding to a second zone). In a similar manner, measuring theharvested crop weight includes measuring a first harvested crop weightcorresponding to a first field location and a second harvested cropweight corresponding to a second field location (e.g., first and secondzones). Based on these harvested crop characteristics 500 associatedwith respective first and second field locations a harvested crop testweight at a first location is determined based on the first harvestedcrop volume and crop weight and a second harvested crop test weight isdetermined based on the second harvested crop volume and crop weight.Accordingly, the harvested crop test weight changes according to thecorresponding harvested crop characteristics 500 determined for thefield location corresponding to both of at least the harvested cropweight and volume.

In another example, generating the one or more variable yield valuesincludes communicating the measured plurality of harvested cropcharacteristics to the receiver and processing node 218 and generatingthe one or more variable yield values includes generating one or morevariable yield values including, but not limited to, a variable volumevalue, a variable weight value or a variable test weight value (e.g.,density). The variable volume value, variable weight value and thevariable test weight value correspond, for instance, to a volume perunit of time, a weight per unit of time and a variable test weight perunit of time (density per unit time) or their instantaneous equivalentsat a particular time or times.

In still another example, the method 600 further includes associatingone or more of the variable yield values with a plurality ofcorresponding locations of an agricultural field for instance by way ofthe indexing module 506 previously shown in FIG. 5. In another example,the method 600 further includes generating a yield map, for instancebased on the associated one or more variable yield values and thecorresponding harvested crop characteristics 500 according to theirrespective positions. For instance, each of the indexed variable yieldvalues 504 and harvested crop characteristics 500 are assigned to theircorresponding zones on the yield map by way of a yield map module 508such as that shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a demonstrative example of a yield map 700. Optionally, theyield map 700 includes but is not limited to a visual representation ofone or more of the harvested crop characteristics 500 previously shownin FIG. 5 and optionally one or more variable yield values 504 alsoshown in FIG. 5. A zoomed in portion of the yield map 700 is shown inthe right view of FIG. 7. As shown by way of varying stippling, crosshatching, shading or the like a plurality of zones 702 havecorresponding harvested crop characteristics 500 and variable yieldvalues 504. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7 a plurality of zones 702having varying crop characteristics and yield values according to actualmeasured data for instance provided by the suite of yield instrumentssuch as the instruments 212, 214, 219, 220 previously shown in FIG. 5and further shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are associated with the one or morezones 702. Accordingly, each of the zones 702 includes in one example anarray of information including one or more harvested cropcharacteristics or one or more corresponding variable yield values 504.

As further shown, for instance in FIG. 5, the variable yield values 504include one or more yield values corresponding to a weight per unittime, a volume per unit time and a density per unit time (e.g., a testweight per unit time). The yield map 700 accordingly provides arepresentation to the operator of the harvested output (e.g., yield)provided during a harvesting operation. Information provided by theyield map 700 is optionally used to determine better husbandrytechniques, planting strategies and the like for the field in the nextseason. Accordingly, by measuring each of the harvested cropcharacteristics 500 on an on-going dynamic basis and accordinglydynamically determining one or more variable yield values 504 moreaccurate and helpful yield maps are generated based on actual measureddata (without intervening static assumptions, e.g., test weightassumptions).

Referring again to FIG. 7, first and second representative zones 704,706 are provided. As shown each of the zones 704, 706 has differentstippling, cross hatching, shading or the like associated with one ormore of the variable yield values 504 or harvested crop characteristics500. Optionally the first and second zones 704, 706 (or any of theplurality of zones 702) have varying stippling, shading, cross hatchingor coloring techniques, textual indications or values, or anycombination thereof to accordingly provide indications (qualitatively orquantitatively) of one or more values (e.g., the harvested cropcharacteristics 500 or variable yield values 504). In the example shownin FIG. 7, the first zone 704 has an associated harvested cropcharacteristic (HCC₁ 500) and a variable yield value (VYV₁ 504). In oneexample the respective harvested crop characteristic 500 and thevariable and yield value 504 correspond to one or more of thecorresponding harvested crop characteristics described herein as well asone or more of the variable yield values described herein. In a similarmanner, the second zone 706 accordingly includes one or more harvestedcrop characteristics (HCC₂) 500 and one or more variable yield values(VYV₂) 504.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 7 by way of the stippling, shading,coloring, textual indications or values or the like the harvested cropcharacteristics 500 and variable yield values 504 are indexed for eachof the zones 702 (e.g., associated with each of the correspondingzones). As shown for instance in the first and second zones 704, 706 thestippling is different between the zones thereby indicating one or moreof the characteristics therebetween vary. Optionally, the yield map 700provides one or more interactive zones 702. For instance the user isable to zoom in and examine each of the zones 702 to accordingly allow(e.g., through a graphical user interface) interaction with the fieldmap 700 to accordingly determine one or more of the characteristics ofone or a plurality of the zones 702 of interest.

Referring now to FIG. 8, one example of a tabular representation of theplurality of harvested crop characteristics and variable yield values(dynamically varying according to the measured characteristics providedby the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205) is provided. As shown forinstance in the left column of the table a plurality of zones such aszones Z₁-Z_(N+10) is provided. As shown in the array of values one ormore of the harvested crop characteristics 500 including for instancevolume, weight, moisture content and temperature is provided andassociated with each of the zones. Further, one or more variable yieldvalues 504 such as test weight, bushels per second and total bushels isoptionally provided in other columns of the table. In the exemplarytable shown in FIG. 8 each of the harvested crop characteristics 500used for instance in one or more standard yield calculations isprovided, including for instance the volume, weight, moisture contentand temperature measurements that are measured in the respective zones.Additionally, as described herein the volume and weight (and optionallythe moisture content and temperature) are used to determine the testweight. In an example, the test weight (e.g., density) for instanceincludes the measured volume (e.g., a harvested crop characteristic 500)from the volume flow module 512 divided by the measured weight (e.g.,harvested crop characteristic 500) from the weight flow module 510. Inanother example, the test weight includes the measured volume divided bythe measured weight (both measured on an on-going basis as describedherein) and further adjusted according to the measured moisture contentand temperature (e.g., also crop characteristics 500 measuring on anon-going basis) to more accurately determine the test weight yield value(used in other yield determinations).

As further previously stated herein, the test weight is dynamicallydetermined according to volume and weight measurements and accordinglyis not provided according to one or more assumptions. The test weightinstead varies with differing measurements of the volume and weight ofthe harvested crop for instance as the harvester 100 operates within thefield for instance the field shown in the yield map 700. As shown inFIG. 8, the characteristics and yield values provided therein areaccordingly associated with each of the zones. In one example themeasured data as well as the determined data such as the variable yieldvalues associated with each of the zones are accordingly then plottedwithin the yield map 700.

With either of the yield map 700 of FIG. 7 or the table presented inFIG. 8 the operator of the harvester 100 or other technician is able toreceive a graphical or tabular representation of one or more of theharvested crop characteristics 500 and optionally one or more of thevariable yield values 504 as they are dynamically measured, for instancewith the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205 shown in FIGS. 2A and2B. Further, with the dynamic yield monitor systems 203, 205 asdescribed herein each of the harvested crop characteristics used withstandard yield equations is accordingly determined. Corresponding yieldvalues such as weight per unit time, volume per unit time and totaloutput for instance bushels per unit time or total bushels for aparticular zone are thereby accordingly accurately determined withoutassumptions made for instance regarding test weight.

In one example, the modules such as the indexing module 506 and theyield map module 508 in communication with the blending filter 502 shownin FIG. 5 are configured to generate the graphical representation shownwith the yield map 700 of FIG. 7 as well as the tabular representationin FIG. 8. That is to say, with the indexing module 506 a particularzone is associated with one or more of the harvested cropcharacteristics and the variable yield values corresponding to the zonein the tabular representation shown in FIG. 8. The yield map module 508accordingly interprets the data provided by the indexing module 506 incombination with the blending filter 502 and provides the graphicalrepresentation shown with the yield map 700.

FIG. 9 shows one example of a method 900 for generating a variable cropmeasurement based yield map such as the yield map 700 shown in FIG. 7.In describing the method 900 reference is made to one or morecomponents, features, functions and steps described herein. Whereconvenient reference is made to the components, features, steps and thelike with reference numerals. Reference numerals provided are exemplaryand are not exclusive. For instance features, components, functions,steps and the like described in the method 900 include but are notlimited to the corresponding numbered elements provided herein. Othercorresponding features described herein (both numbered and unnumbered)as well as their equivalents are also considered.

At 902, the method 900 includes measuring a plurality of harvested cropcharacteristics (e.g., the characteristics 500 shown for instance inFIG. 5) with a suite of yield instruments. In one example, measuringincludes measuring a harvested crop volume at 904 of a moving flow ofthe harvested crop (e.g., a quantity 216 or a plurality of quantities ofthe harvested crop). In another example, measurement of the plurality ofharvested crop characteristics includes measuring a harvested cropweight of a moving flow of the harvested crop at 906. In one example thevolume of the moving flow of the harvested crop is measured with avolume instrument 212 (e.g., a photo eye or IR sensor) provided withinan ascending segment 204 of the dynamic yield monitor system 203 (or205). In another example, measuring the harvested crop weight isconducted with a weight instrument 214, for instance a weight instrumentassociated with one or more of the paddles 202. In another example, aweight sensor 224 provided within the crop chute 211 is used to measurethe weight of the moving flow of the harvested crop through measurementof the impact on an impact plate in the chute.

At 908 a variable test weight of the moving flow of the harvested cropis determined. As previously described herein, the variable test weightvaries according to changes in one or more of the plurality of measuredharvested crop characteristics including for instance the measurementsof the harvested crop volume and the measurements of the harvested cropweight. Accordingly, assumptions regarding the test weight are therebyavoided. Instead, the harvested crop volume and the harvested cropweight (and optionally the harvested crop moisture content andtemperature) are used to dynamically determine the test weightthroughout a harvesting operation (e.g., in an on-going fashion thatvaries based on dynamic measurements of at least the crop volume andweight).

At 910, the method 900 further includes determining a location of theharvester 100 within a field for instance the field shown in therepresentative yield map 700 of FIG. 7. In one example, determining thelocation of the harvester within the field includes the use of anantenna 110, for instance in communication with a localized positionsensing system local to the field shown in FIG. 7 or a globalpositioning system (GPS). In one example, the location of the harvester100 within the field is associated with one or more corresponding zonesin the field for instance the zones 702 shown in the views of FIG. 7.

At 912, the method 900 further includes generating one or more variableyield values 504 based on the measurements of the harvested cropcharacteristics 500 and the variable test weight previously determinedherein. As shown for instance in FIG. 5, in one example the receiver andprocessing node 218 includes a blending filter 502 configured to receiveeach of the harvested crop characteristics 500 as inputs and accordinglydetermine one or more of the variable yield values 504 in a dynamicon-going manner according to changing values of the harvested cropcharacteristics 500. For instance, as previously described hereinvariable yield values are determined in one example with one or morestandardized equations for determining yield. By providing each of theharvested crop characteristics necessary for the yield equationsincluding for instance weight, volume, moisture and temperature as wellas the test weight (based on at least the measured weight and measuredvolume) as they dynamically change in the field the corresponding yieldvalues vary dynamically and accurately represent the actual yieldthroughout the field (and locally at one or more zones 702).

At 914, a yield map is generated for the field such as the field shownin FIG. 7 that includes associating one or more of the variable yieldvalues determined at 912 with a corresponding plurality of locations ofthe field. Stated another way, the variable yield values (and optionallyone or more of the harvested crop characteristics 500) are associatedwith the zones 702 of the field. For instance, the harvested cropcharacteristics 500 and the variable yield values 504 are associatedwith locations determined by way of an indexing module 506 associatedwith the blending filter 502. The indexing module 506 in one exampleuses information provided by the position sensing system (e.g., theantenna 110) regarding the location of the harvester 100 and accordinglyassociates the determined location of the harvester 100 with the one ormore harvested crop characteristics 500 and the corresponding variableyield values 504. Accordingly a yield map, such as the yield map 700shown in FIG. 7, is generated with the corresponding variable yieldvalues and harvested crop characteristics associated with each of therespective zones 702.

Several options for the method 900 follow. In one example determiningthe variable test weight includes determining the variable test weightbased on at least the measured harvested crop volume and weight as theplurality of harvested crop characteristics vary in a field, forinstance as the harvester 100 moves through the field during aharvesting operation and accordingly harvests crops in differinglocations (e.g., differing zones 702). In one example, measuring theharvested crop volume includes measuring a first harvested crop volumecorresponding to a first field location (such as the first zone 704shown in FIG. 7) and measuring a second harvested crop volumecorresponding to a second field location (such as the second zone 706).Additionally, the method 900 includes measuring the harvested cropweight such as measuring a first harvested crop weight corresponding toa first field location (the first zone 704) and measuring a secondharvested crop weight corresponding to a second field location (thesecond zone 706). In another example determining the variable testweight includes determining a first variable test weight based on thefirst harvested crop volume and crop weight. for instance associatedwith the first zone 704, and determining a second variable test weightbased on the second harvested crop volume and crop weight associatedwith the second zone 706.

Optionally, generating the one or more variable yield values 504includes generating one or more of a variable volume value, a variableweight value or a variable test weight value (density), for instanceincluding a measured crop weight or determined dry harvested crop weightas described herein. In one example these values include, but are notlimited to, weight per unit time, volume per unit time and density perunit time as well as their instantaneous equivalents. In still anotherexample the method 900 includes sensing a header orientation forinstance with the header orientation instrument 220 shown in FIGS. 2Aand 2B. In one example the indexing module 506 associates the sensed upheader orientation or a sensed down header orientation with one or moreof the corresponding locations of the field and the one or moreharvested crop characteristics 500 or the variable yield values 504. Inone example, with a “down” sensed header orientation the indexing module506 interrupts association of one or more of the harvested cropcharacteristics 500 or the variable yield values 504 with thecorresponding location of the harvester 500 on the field for instancethe field shown in the yield map 700. In another example, with a sensed“up” header orientation the indexing module 506 permits association ofthe location of the harvester 100 with the variable yield values 504(and optionally the harvested crop characteristics 500 as describedherein).

In still another example the method 900 includes measuring the harvestedcrop weight while moving the quantity for instance a quantity of theharvested crop 216 along an ascending segment 204 of a harvesterelevator 106. The quantity of the harvested crop 216 is carried by oneor more paddles 202 and the quantity is static relative to a weightinstrument such as the weight instrument 214 associated with the paddle202. In another example, determining the variable test weight asdescribed herein includes determining the variable test weight based onthe measured harvested crop volume, weight and a harvested croptemperature and a harvested crop moisture content, for instancedetermined with the moisture and temperature instrument 219 shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B.

Various Notes & Examples

Example 1 can include subject matter such as dynamic yield monitorsystem comprising: a suite of yield instruments for measuring aplurality of harvested crop characteristics while a harvested crop isin-flow within a harvester elevator, including: a volume instrumentconfigured for coupling with the harvester elevator, the volumeinstrument measures a harvested crop volume from the in-flow harvestedcrop within the harvester elevator, and a weight instrument configuredfor coupling with the harvester elevator, the weight instrument measuresa harvested crop weight from the in-flow harvested crop within theharvester elevator; and a receiver and processing node in communicationwith the suite of yield instruments, the receiver and processing nodeconfigured to determine: a variable harvested crop test weight based onat least the measured harvested crop volume and measured harvested cropweight of the in-flow harvested crop, and a variable yield of theharvested crop based on the measured harvested crop volume, the measuredharvested crop weight, and the variable harvested crop test weight.

Example 2 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Example 1, to optionally include wherein the volume instrumentincludes an optical volume instrument configured for coupling along anascending segment of the harvester elevator.

Example 3 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1 or 2 to optionallyinclude wherein the weight instrument includes a paddle mounted weightinstrument configured for coupling with one or more paddles of theharvester elevator.

Example 4 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1 through 3 to optionallyinclude wherein the paddle mounted weight instrument is configured tomeasure the harvested crop weight along an ascending segment of theharvester elevator, and a quantity of the harvest crop weighed on apaddle is static relative to the weight instrument and moving relativeto the remainder of an elevator loop of the harvester elevator.

Example 5 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-4 to optionally includewherein the weight instrument includes a force impact plate configuredfor positioning within a crop chute of the harvester elevator.

Example 6 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-5 to optionally include a moisture and temperatureinstrument, the moisture and temperature instrument measures a harvestedcrop moisture and temperature from the in-flow harvested crop within theharvester elevator, and the plurality of harvested crop characteristicsinclude the harvested crop moisture and temperature.

Example 7 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-6 to optionally include wherein the receiver andprocessing node includes a blending filter configured to determine thevariable harvested crop test weight based on the measured harvested cropvolume, weight, temperature and moisture as each of the plurality ofharvested crop characteristics vary within a field.

Example 8 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-7 to optionally include wherein the receiver andprocessing note incudes a blending filter configured to: receive themeasurements of the harvested crop characteristics including themeasured harvest crop volume, weight, and a harvested crop temperatureand a harvested crop moisture content, and generate one or more variableyield values based on the measurements of the harvested cropcharacteristics, the one or more variable yield values including one ormore of a variable volume value, a variable weight value or a variabletest weight value.

Example 9 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-8 to optionally include wherein the receiver andprocessing node includes an indexing module in communication with alocation sensor, and the receiver and processing node is configured toassociate one or more of the variable yield values with a plurality ofcorresponding locations of an agricultural field.

Example 10 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-9 to optionally include wherein the receiver andprocessing node includes a yield map module in communication with theindexing module, and the yield map module is configured to generate ayield map including one or more of the variable yield values associatedwith the plurality of corresponding locations of the agricultural field.

Example 11 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-10 to optionally include a method for dynamicallymeasuring yield comprising: measuring a plurality of harvested cropcharacteristics with a suite of yield instruments within a harvesterelevator, measuring including: measuring a harvested crop volume of amoving flow of the harvested crop within the harvester elevator, andmeasuring a harvested crop weight of the moving flow of the harvestedcrop within the harvester elevator; and communicating the measuredplurality of harvested crop characteristics to a receiver and processingnode; determining a variable harvested crop test weight of the movingflow of the harvested crop based on at least the measured harvested cropvolume and weight; and generating one or more variable yield valuesbased on the measurements of the harvested crop characteristicsincluding at least the measured harvested crop volume and weight and thedetermined variable harvested crop test weight.

Example 12 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-11 to optionally include wherein measuring theharvested crop weight includes: measuring the weight of a quantity ofthe harvested crop while moving the quantity along an ascending segmentof the harvester elevator, the quantity of the harvested crop carried byone or more paddles, and the quantity of the harvested crop is staticrelative to a weight instrument configured to measure the weight of thequantity.

Example 13 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-12 to optionally include wherein communicating themeasured plurality of harvested crop characteristics includes wirelesslytransmitting and receiving one or more of the measured plurality ofharvested crop characteristics.

Example 14 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-13 to optionally include wherein determining thevariable harvested crop test weight includes determining the variableharvested crop test weight based on the measured harvested crop volume,weight, a harvested crop temperature and a harvested crop moisture aseach of the plurality of harvested crop characteristics change within afield.

Example 15 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-14 to optionally include wherein: measuring theharvested crop volume includes measuring a first harvested crop volumecorresponding to a first field location and measuring a second harvestedcrop volume corresponding to a second field location, measuring theharvested crop weight includes measuring a first harvested crop weightcorresponding to a first field location and measuring a second harvestedcrop weight corresponding to a second field location, and determiningthe variable harvested crop test weight includes determining a firstharvested crop test weight based on the first harvested crop volume andcrop weight and determining a second harvested crop test weight based onthe second harvested crop volume and crop weight.

Example 16 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-15 to optionally include wherein generating the oneor more variable yield values includes: communicating the measuredplurality of harvested crop characteristics to the receiver andprocessing node, and generating the one or more variable yield valuesincludes generating the one or more variable yield values including avariable volume value, a variable weight value or a variable test weightvalue.

Example 17 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-16 to optionally include associating one or more ofthe variable yield values with a plurality of corresponding locations ofan agricultural field.

Example 18 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-17 to optionally include generating a yield mapincluding one or more of the variable yield values associated with theplurality of corresponding locations of the agricultural field.

Example 19 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-18 to optionally include wherein measuring theplurality of harvested crop characteristics includes measuring aharvested crop moisture content and temperature of the moving flow ofthe harvested crop within the harvester elevator.

Example 20 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-19 to optionally include a method of generating avariable crop measurement based yield map comprising: measuring aplurality of harvested crop characteristics with a suite of yieldinstruments, measuring including: measuring a harvested crop volume of amoving flow of the harvested crop, and measuring a harvested crop weightof a moving flow of the harvested crop; and determining a variable testweight of the moving flow of the harvested crop based on the pluralityof measured harvested crop characteristics, the variable test weightvarying according to changes in one or more of the plurality of measuredharvested crop characteristics; determining a location of the harvesterwithin a field; generating one or more variable yield values based onthe measurements of the harvested crop characteristics and the variabletest weight determined from the measured harvested crop characteristics;and generating a yield map for the field, generating the yield mapincluding associating one or more of the variable yield values with aplurality of corresponding locations of the field.

Example 21 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-20 to optionally include wherein measuring theplurality of harvested crop characteristics includes measuring aharvested crop moisture content and temperature of the moving flow ofthe harvested crop.

Example 22 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-21 to optionally include wherein determining thevariable test weight includes determining the variable test weight basedon at least the measured harvested crop volume and weight as theplurality of harvested crop characteristics vary in a field.

Example 23 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-22 to optionally include wherein: measuring theharvested crop volume includes measuring a first harvested crop volumecorresponding to a first field location and measuring a second harvestedcrop volume corresponding to a second field location, measuring theharvested crop weight includes measuring a first harvested crop weightcorresponding to a first field location and measuring a second harvestedcrop weight corresponding to a second field location, and determiningthe variable test weight includes determining a first variable testweight based on the first harvested crop volume and crop weight anddetermining a second variable test weight based on the second harvestedcrop volume and crop weight.

Example 24 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-23 to optionally include wherein generating the oneor more variable yield values includes generating one or more of avariable volume value, a variable weight value or a variable test weightvalue.

Example 25 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-24 to optionally include sensing a headerorientation of a harvester, and associating one or more of a sensed upheader orientation or a sensed down header orientation with one or moreof the corresponding locations of the field or the one or more variableyield values.

Example 26 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-25 to optionally include wherein measuring theharvested crop weight includes: measuring the weight of a quantity ofthe harvested crop while moving the quantity along an ascending segmentof a harvester elevator, the quantity of the harvested crop carried byone or more paddles, and the quantity of the harvested crop is staticrelative to a weight instrument associated with the paddle andconfigured to measure the weight of the quantity.

Example 27 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-26 to optionally include wherein determining thevariable test weight includes determining the variable test weight basedon the measured harvested crop volume, weight, and a harvested croptemperature and a harvested crop moisture.

Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can becombined in any permutation or combination with any one or more of theother examples.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced.

These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Suchexamples can include elements in addition to those shown or described.However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which onlythose elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the presentinventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutationof those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof),either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspectsthereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspectsthereof) shown or described herein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and anydocuments so incorporated by reference, the usage in this documentcontrols.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements inaddition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemedto fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the followingclaims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merelyas labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements ontheir objects.

Method examples described herein can be machine or computer-implementedat least in part. Some examples can include a computer-readable mediumor machine-readable medium encoded with instructions operable toconfigure an electronic device to perform methods as described in theabove examples. An implementation of such methods can include code, suchas microcode, assembly language code, a higher-level language code, orthe like. Such code can include computer readable instructions forperforming various methods. The code may form portions of computerprogram products. Further, in an example, the code can be tangiblystored on one or more volatile, non-transitory, or non-volatile tangiblecomputer-readable media, such as during execution or at other times.Examples of these tangible computer-readable media can include, but arenot limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable opticaldisks (e.g., compact disks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes,memory cards or sticks, random access memories (RAMs), read onlymemories (ROMs), and the like.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to complywith 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description,various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure.This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosedfeature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter maylie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on itsown as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that suchembodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations orpermutations. The scope of the invention should be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The claimed invention is:
 1. A dynamic yield monitor system comprising:a suite of yield instruments for measuring a plurality of harvested cropcharacteristics while a harvested crop is in-flow within a harvesterelevator, including: a volume instrument configured for coupling withthe harvester elevator, the volume instrument measures a harvested cropvolume from the in-flow harvested crop within the harvester elevator,and a weight instrument configured for coupling with the harvesterelevator, the weight instrument measures a harvested crop weight of thein-flow harvested crop within the harvester elevator, the weightinstrument includes a paddle mounted weight instrument configured forcoupling with one or more paddles of the harvester elevator and whereinthe paddle mounted weight instrument is configured to measure theharvested crop weight along an ascending segment of the harvesterelevator, and a quantity of the harvest crop weighed on a paddle isstatic relative to the weight instrument and moving relative to theremainder of an elevator loop of the harvester elevator; and a receiverand processing node in communication with the suite of yieldinstruments, the receiver and processing node configured to determine: avariable harvested crop test weight based on at least the measuredharvested crop volume and measured harvested crop weight of a quantityof the in flow harvested crop within the harvester elevator, and avariable yield of the harvested crop based on the measured harvestedcrop volume, the measured harvested crop weight, and the variableharvested crop test weight.
 2. The dynamic yield monitor system of claim1, wherein the volume instrument includes an optical volume instrumentconfigured for coupling along an ascending segment of the harvesterelevator.
 3. The dynamic yield monitor system of claim 1, wherein theweight instrument includes a force impact plate configured forpositioning within a crop chute of the harvester elevator.
 4. Thedynamic yield monitor system of claim 1 comprising a moisture andtemperature instrument, the moisture and temperature instrument measuresa harvested crop moisture and temperature from the in-flow harvestedcrop within the harvester elevator, and the plurality of harvested cropcharacteristics include the harvested crop moisture and temperature. 5.The dynamic yield monitor system of claim 4, wherein the receiver andprocessing node includes a blending filter configured to determine thevariable harvested crop test weight based on the measured harvested cropvolume, weight, temperature and moisture as each of the plurality ofharvested crop characteristics vary within a field.
 6. The dynamic yieldmonitor system of claim 1, wherein the receiver and processing noteincludes a blending filter configured to: receive the measurements ofthe harvested crop characteristics including the measured harvest cropvolume, weight, and a harvested crop temperature and a harvested cropmoisture content, and generate one or more variable yield values basedon the measurements of the harvested crop characteristics, the one ormore variable yield values including one or more of a variable volumevalue, a variable weight value or a variable test weight value.
 7. Thedynamic yield monitor system of claim 6 wherein the receiver andprocessing node includes an indexing module in communication with alocation sensor, and the receiver and processing node is configured toassociate one or more of the variable yield values with a plurality ofcorresponding locations of an agricultural field.
 8. The dynamic yieldmonitor system of claim 7, wherein the receiver and processing nodeincludes a yield map module in communication with the indexing module,and the yield map module is configured to generate a yield map includingone or more of the variable yield values associated with the pluralityof corresponding locations of the agricultural field.
 9. A method fordynamically measuring yield comprising: measuring a plurality ofharvested crop characteristics with a suite of yield instruments withina harvester elevator, measuring including: measuring a harvested cropvolume of a moving flow of the harvested crop within the harvesterelevator, and measuring a harvested crop weight of the moving flow ofthe harvested crop within the harvester elevator including measuring theweight of a quantity of the harvested crop while moving the quantityalong an ascending segment of the harvester elevator, the quantity ofthe harvested crop carried by one or more paddles, and the quantity ofthe harvested crop is static relative to a weight instrument configuredto measure the weight of the quantity; and communicating the measuredplurality of harvested crop characteristics to a receiver and processingnode; determining a variable harvested crop test weight of the movingflow of the harvested crop based on at least the measured harvested cropvolume and weight of a quantity of the moving flow of the harvested cropwithin the harvester elevator; and generating one or more variable yieldvalues based on the measurements of the harvested crop characteristicsincluding at least the measured harvested crop volume and weight and thedetermined variable harvested crop test weight.
 10. The method of claim9, wherein communicating the measured plurality of harvested cropcharacteristics includes wirelessly transmitting and receiving one ormore of the measured plurality of harvested crop characteristics. 11.The method of claim 9, wherein determining the variable harvested croptest weight includes determining the variable harvested crop test weightbased on the measured harvested crop volume, weight, a harvested croptemperature and a harvested crop moisture as each of the plurality ofharvested crop characteristics change within a field.
 12. The method ofclaim 9, wherein: measuring the harvested crop volume includes measuringa first harvested crop volume corresponding to a first field locationand measuring a second harvested crop volume corresponding to a secondfield location, measuring the harvested crop weight includes measuring afirst harvested crop weight corresponding to a first field location andmeasuring a second harvested crop weight corresponding to a second fieldlocation, and determining the variable harvested crop test weightincludes determining a first harvested crop test weight based on thefirst harvested crop volume and crop weight and determining a secondharvested crop test weight based on the second harvested crop volume andcrop weight.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein generating the one ormore variable yield values includes: communicating the measuredplurality of harvested crop characteristics to the receiver andprocessing node, and generating the one or more variable yield valuesincludes generating the one or more variable yield values including avariable volume value, a variable weight value or a variable test weightvalue.
 14. The method of claim 13 comprising associating one or more ofthe variable yield values with a plurality of corresponding locations ofan agricultural field.
 15. The method of claim 14 comprising generatinga yield map including one or more of the variable yield valuesassociated with the plurality of corresponding locations of theagricultural field.
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein measuring theplurality of harvested crop characteristics includes measuring aharvested crop moisture content and temperature of the moving flow ofthe harvested crop within the harvester elevator.
 17. A method ofgenerating a variable crop measurement based yield map comprising:measuring a plurality of harvested crop characteristics with a suite ofyield instruments, measuring including: measuring a harvested cropvolume of a moving flow of the harvested crop, and measuring a harvestedcrop weight of a moving flow of the harvested crop, measuring theharvested crop weight includes measuring the weight of a quantity of theharvested crop while moving the quantity along an ascending segment of aharvester elevator, the quantity of the harvested crop carried by one ormore paddles, and the quantity of the harvested crop is static relativeto a weight instrument associated with the paddle and configured tomeasure the weight of the quantity; and determining a variable testweight of the moving flow of the harvested crop based on the pluralityof measured harvested crop characteristics of a quantity of the movingflow of the harvested crop, the variable test weight varying accordingto changes in one or more of the plurality of measured harvested cropcharacteristics; determining a location of the harvester within a field;generating one or more variable yield values based on the measurementsof the harvested crop characteristics and the variable test weightdetermined from the measured harvested crop characteristics; andgenerating a yield map for the field, generating the yield map includingassociating one or more of the variable yield values with a plurality ofcorresponding locations of the field.
 18. The method of claim 17,wherein measuring the plurality of harvested crop characteristicsincludes measuring a harvested crop moisture content and temperature ofthe moving flow of the harvested crop.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein determining the variable test weight includes determining thevariable test weight based on at least the measured harvested cropvolume and weight as the plurality of harvested crop characteristicsvary in a field.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein: measuring theharvested crop volume includes measuring a first harvested crop volumecorresponding to a first field location and measuring a second harvestedcrop volume corresponding to a second field location, measuring theharvested crop weight includes measuring a first harvested crop weightcorresponding to a first field location and measuring a second harvestedcrop weight corresponding to a second field location, and determiningthe variable test weight includes determining a first variable testweight based on the first harvested crop volume and crop weight anddetermining a second variable test weight based on the second harvestedcrop volume and crop weight.
 21. The method of claim 17, whereingenerating the one variable yield. values includes generating one ormore of a variable volume value, a variable weight value or a variabletest weight value.
 22. The method of claim 17 comprising sensing aheader orientation of a harvester, and associating one or more of asensed up header orientation or a sensed down header orientation withone or more of the corresponding locations of the field or the one ormore variable yield values.
 23. The method of claim 17, whereindetermining the variable test weight includes determining the variabletest weight based on the measured harvested crop volume, weight, and aharvested crop temperature and a harvested crop moisture.